Innovative Dishwasher Features Boost Kitchen Upgrades

Appliances May 19

The dishwasher is one of the most-used kitchen appliances in any home and can really see some wear-and-tear over time. With daily use, a dishwasher’s cleaning capacity can decline, and many people want to replace their noisy older-model dishwasher with a sleek new upgrade. Whether homeowners are remodeling their entire kitchen or simply upgrading appliances, they usually find that choosing a quality dishwasher can create peace and tranquility in the home like no other appliance. Choosing a new dishwasher can be a lot of fun with the array of innovative and efficient features now available. A kitchen remodeling professional in Royal Oak can help ask the right questions to determine which dishwasher is the best fit for homeowners’ needs. 

Sound Reduction Systems 

Some people find that they need to move conversation to another room or crank up the TV volume when the dishwasher is running, and that’s a good indication that a new dishwasher with a sound reduction system could be just the right replacement. Dishwashers today are much quieter than they used to be, and some run almost silently. Most dishwashers now come with sound reduction features, and depending on the manufacturer, these might include layers of insulation, a solid base that absorbs sound, or a motor designed with fewer moving parts. No matter what the sound reduction package includes, the main feature to look for when comparing dishwasher noise level is the decibel level, or dBA rating. Manufacturers use different terms to explain how their products reduce noise, but the decibel level is the only objective comparison. Dishwashers with a rating between 40 and 50 are fairly quiet. The lower the number, the quieter the dishwasher is while in use. 

Control Panels 

A semi-integrated control panel is located on the front of the dishwasher, while a fully-integrated control panel is hidden on the top edge of the door, so it can’t be seen when the door is closed. Top control panels provide a clean look and keep buttons from being accidentally pressed mid-cycle. With a hidden top control panel, it could be difficult to determine what stage the dishwasher is in during the cleaning cycle, so time-remaining displays show how much time remains until cycle completion. Other dishwashers shine a light beam on the floor to indicate that the washer is still running or is finished. 

Interior Finishes 

Interior dishwasher tubs are made of stainless steel or plastic. While dishwashers with stainless steel tubs usually cost more than plastic tub models, they can help reduce energy costs because they retain heat longer, allowing dishes to dry faster. They are also more stain-resistant and more odor-resistant than plastic tubs. Plastic tubs, mainly found on more affordable dishwashers, are still very durable and reliable. Interior Racks Third racks provide a lot more space and are great for longer utensils and cooking tools like whisks, tongs, and cooking knives. Oddly-shaped and shorter items, like espresso cups, baby bottle caps, and measuring cups fit well in a third rack, too. Some third racks include silverware tines so that silverware and measuring spoons can't stick together. Adjustable upper or lower racks can be moved up or down to accommodate tall glasses and stemware or large plates and cookie sheets. Large pots and pans and bigger bowls take up more space than dishes, so adjustable or fold-down tines create room by moving tines to the left or right, or out of the way altogether. Fold-down tines can also secure lids and lightweight items that tip over and fill with water during the wash cycle. Some silverware caddies are adjustable and can be moved to different locations from one load to the next depending on where they best fit in each load. Silverware caddy covers ensure small items stay in the caddy during the wash cycle.

Exterior Finishes

 An array of available finishes ensure that a new dishwasher will match homeowners’ existing appliances or kitchen décor. Homeowners can choose from black, white, bisque, stainless-steel or stainless-look, and custom panel-ready finishes. Custom panels allow homeowners to customize a dishwasher to create a seamless look with an existing kitchen or kitchen remodel. Custom-panel-ready dishwashers have an unfinished door so that a custom panel can be attached that matches kitchen cabinets; when the dishwasher door is shut, the dishwasher looks just like another cabinet. 

Cycles 

Most dishwashers offer the same basic washing cycles, but specialized cycles add extra cleaning power or tackle different types of dishwashing chores. NSF-certified sanitizing rinse cycles heat the final rinse water to a very high temperature to kill germs on dishes and cookware, providing both a way to sanitize baby bottles and cutting boards and an extra measure of prevention during cold and flu season. NSF-certified dishwashers are independently tested to confirm that the sanitizing cycle reduces bacteria by 99.9 percent. A kitchen remodeling firm in Utica can answer questions about sanitizing features and recommend the best dishwasher for every family’s needs. Cutting-edge steam dishwashers harness steam's cleaning ability in the washing phase. Depending on the model, they either directly heat the water in the tub into steam or incorporate nozzles that release high-pressure steam at the right time. Some dishwashers offer a steam option to supplement the traditional cycle for more cleaning power, and some have a special setting that only uses steam to clean fragile dishes. For homeowners undergoing kitchen remodeling, a Royal Oak remodeling professional can help answer questions about dishwashers’ steam-cleaning features. 

Energy Saving Features

The energy-saving features found on many dishwashers help protect the environment and save money over time. Dishwashers with the “ENERGY STAR” label reduce water and energy bills by meeting strict energy efficiency guidelines set by federal agencies. Other energy-efficient features save even more water and energy. Dishwashers with soil sensor technology monitor dirt and food particles in each load of dishes and adjust the water level and cycle time as needed. These dishwashers use only the amount of water and energy needed to get dishes clean. If a dishwasher's drying cycle includes a fan, it will use less energy, as it allows dishes to dry faster while using less heat. Other dishwashers have even more advanced drying systems, including steam drying. With so many options and features to choose from, a new dishwasher can save time, energy, and money. Homeowners should contact a reputable kitchen remodeling company in Utica to find the right dishwasher for their needs.